Students take a stand at Maplewood

Students from Maplewood Parent Cooperative in Edmonds walked out of their school on Wednesday, March 7, for 17 minutes – one minute for the each of students and staff killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14.

“The last day of the session is March 8, so while the rest of the nation is planning to do this protest on March 14, it is just a little too late for us,” said 12-year-old Laraine Sims, who read the names through a megaphone.

Many students held signs.

“School used to be a place where I felt safe, but due to recent events, I feel that every school is at risk to being the next media storm,” she said.

“My friends and my teachers are more than my friends and my teachers; preventing harm and the loss of any of their lives over the right to bear arms is more meaningful to me.”